Differential Diagnosis for Right Sided Back Pain with Inspiration
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal strain: This is often the most common cause of back pain, especially when it is exacerbated by movement such as inspiration. The pain can be sharp and localized to one side of the back.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pulmonary embolism: Although less common, pulmonary embolism can cause sudden onset of sharp chest or back pain that worsens with deep breathing. The pain is usually on one side.
- Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lung tissue can cause pain that is worse with deep breathing or coughing, and it can be localized to one side of the back if the pneumonia is unilateral.
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs, can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing and can radiate to the back.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung can cause sudden, severe chest or back pain that worsens with breathing. It is a medical emergency.
- Aortic dissection: A tear in the aorta's inner layer can cause severe, tearing chest or back pain that can radiate to the back and worsen with movement or breathing.
- Kidney stone: While typically causing flank pain, a kidney stone can sometimes cause back pain that worsens with movement, including inspiration, especially if the stone is moving.
Rare Diagnoses
- Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone can cause localized back pain that worsens with movement.
- Spinal tumor: A tumor in the spine can cause back pain that worsens with movement or breathing, though this is less common.
- Empyema: A collection of pus in the space between the lung and the chest wall (pleural space) can cause back pain that worsens with breathing, among other symptoms.